JP2006127616A - Out-of-focus detector, out-of-focus detection method, and optical disk apparatus using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an out-of-focus detector for accurately detecting out-of-focus during recording to an optical disk having a plurality of recording layers, and to provide an out-of-focus detection method and an optical disk apparatus using the same. <P>SOLUTION: The out-of-focus detector places a limit on a time for detecting out-of-focus and decreases a level used for detecting second variations of an opposite polarity successively caused with respect to a level for detecting first variations caused in a focus error signal on the occurrence of an out-of-focus error. The out-of-focus detector detects out-of-focus when the focus error signal exceeds the first level and thereafter detects out-of-focus when the focus error signal exceeds the second level within the limited time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical disc apparatus that records and reproduces a recording type optical disc having a plurality of recording layers, and detects an out-of-focus state during recording.

  In recent years, recordable optical discs having a plurality of recording layers have been put into practical use. If defocusing occurs due to some disturbance factor while data is being recorded on the recordable optical disc, the focal point of the laser used for recording may pass through another recording layer. If the focal point of the laser passes through another recording layer while the laser emits light at the recording power, erroneous recording will occur in the passed layer. In view of this, the optical disc apparatus prevents the erroneous recording on the other recording layers by quickly reducing the laser light emission power upon detecting out-of-focus during recording.

  As a method for detecting out-of-focus, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method of comparing a sum signal (hereinafter referred to as SUM signal) of the amount of light reflected from an optical disc with a predetermined level.

  As another out-of-focus detection method, for example, Patent Document 2 discloses a method of comparing a focus error signal (hereinafter referred to as FE signal) with a predetermined threshold.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-67686 Japanese Patent No. 3456040

  In the conventional technique described above, the following three problems occur.

First, the first problem will be described.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of lens trajectories, FE signals, and SUM signals when the objective lens is swept in the focus direction. In FIG. 2, the following description will be made assuming that the optical disk is rotating.

  FIG. 2A shows the operation trajectories of the recording layers L0 and L1 of the optical disc and the objective lens, and it is assumed that the recording layer L0 is arranged on the objective lens side. When the objective lens shown in the figure is swept in the focus direction while the optical disk is rotating, the focal point of the laser focused by the objective lens follows a locus indicated by a straight line from point A to point D. .

  At this time, the laser focusing point is just focused on the recording layer L0 at the point B, and further is just focused on the recording layer L1 at the point C.

  FIG. 2B shows the FE signal when the objective lens operates as described above. Similarly, the SUM signal is shown in FIG.

  When the objective lens passes through the recording layers L0 and L1, an S-shaped waveform appears in the FE signal, and the SUM signal peaks near the just focus point. In addition, the level of the SUM signal slightly decreases between the two recording layers.

  There are four ways of defocusing in a multi-layer disc. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, when the focus is deviated from the state where (a) the focus is on the recording layer L0 toward the objective lens side, (b) the recording layer L1 from the state where the focus is on the recording layer L0. (C) When the focus is off from the state in which the recording layer L1 is focused on toward the recording layer L0, (d) From the state in which the focus is on the recording layer L1, the objective lens and Is when out of focus on the other side.

  The waveforms of the FE signal and the SUM signal in the above four patterns (a) to (d) are shown in FIG.

  FIG. 4A shows the FE signal and the SUM signal when the focus is off from the state where the focus is on the recording layer L0 toward the objective lens side. Similarly, in FIG. 4B, when the focus is off from the state where the focus is on the recording layer L0 toward the recording layer L1, FIG. 4C is when the focus is on the recording layer L1. FIG. 4D shows the FE signal and the SUM signal when the focus is off to the side opposite to the objective lens from the state where the focus is on the recording layer L1 when the focus is off toward the recording layer L0.

  In FIG. 4 (a), the laser focal point passes through the locus from point B to point A in FIG. 2 (a), so that the FE signal and SUM signal are directed from point B to point A in FIG. It becomes the same. Similarly, FIG. 4B is the same as the case from point B to point C in FIG. 2A, and FIG. 4C is the same as the case from point C to point B in FIG. FIG. 4D is the same as the case from point C to point D in FIG.

  In FIG. 4, the FE signal and the SUM signal shown in (a) and (d) have the same waveform as that of an optical disk having only one recording surface. Out of focus can be detected by detecting a decrease in signal level. On the other hand, in (b) and (c) of FIG. 4, it is difficult to use the method of Patent Document 1. The reason for this will be described below.

  4B and 4C, the SUM signal level drop between the recording layers is smaller than that in FIGS. 4A and 4D, and the minimum level of the SUM signal between the recording layers is the amplitude of the SUM signal. Suppose that it is more than half. In Patent Document 1, half of the amplitude of the SUM signal is set as the threshold value th, and when the level of the SUM signal becomes smaller than the threshold value th, it is detected as out of focus. In the case of FIGS. Since the level of the SUM signal is greater than the threshold th, it is impossible to detect a level drop.

  For this reason, it is necessary to determine another threshold value for detecting a small level reduction of the SUM signal between the recording layers, and a problem arises that the method becomes complicated because learning is required for that purpose. Further, even if a new threshold value is provided by learning, the SUM signal is only slightly lowered, and thus there is a problem that the noise of the SUM signal due to a scratch on the disk surface is erroneously detected as out of focus.

Next, the second problem will be described.
There may be a physical distortion in the recording surface of the optical disc that occurs in the manufacturing process. The frequency component of this distortion is higher than the surface deflection component of the disk that is subject to servo control disturbance suppression, and the focus servo gain at the frequency of the distortion portion is not high. Therefore, disturbance due to distortion cannot be sufficiently suppressed, and level fluctuation appears in the FE signal in the distortion portion. At this time, when the amplitude and frequency components of the distortion portion are high, the level may vary to a level close to the peak of the S-shaped waveform of the FE signal. The waveform of the FE signal in this case is shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 5, the fluctuation of the FE signal in part (a) is the waveform during the lens sweep shown in FIG. Although there are various patterns of fluctuations in the FE signal in the distortion portion of the optical disc, it is assumed that the level fluctuation of the FE signal as shown in FIG. 5B or 5C occurs. Furthermore, since the distortion portion of the optical disk is not limited to one place on one circumference of the disk, the FE signal fluctuations in (b) and (c) of FIG. 5 may continue.

  In such a case, the method disclosed in Patent Document 2, that is, the method for detecting fluctuations in both the positive level and the negative level of the FE signal, the distortion portion of the optical disk shown in FIGS. 5 (b) and 5 (c). This causes a problem of erroneously detecting a fluctuation in the FE signal as out of focus.

Next, the third problem will be described.
6A is the FE signal in FIG. 4B, and FIG. 6B is the FE signal in FIG. 4C. Each of the recording layers defocuses from one recording layer to the adjacent recording layer. FE signal.

  As shown by the FE signal in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the FE signal first fluctuates in a convex shape to either positive polarity or negative polarity when out of focus due to the recording layer in focus at the time of recording. Thereafter, it crosses the 0 level and changes in a convex shape with a polarity opposite to the previous change. The first reference voltage of the positive level that can detect the focus error signal when the focus error described in Patent Document 2 occurs is the threshold value th1 shown in FIG. 6, and the focus error similarly occurs when the focus error occurs. A negative second reference voltage capable of detecting a signal is a threshold th2 shown in FIG.

  At this time, the first peak level of the FE signal indicated by AMP1 in FIG. 6 (a) and AMP2 in FIG. 6 (b) has different polarities but almost the same absolute value, so the FE signal fluctuates to either positive or negative polarity. Even so, in order to equalize the sensitivity of detection of defocusing, it is desirable that the absolute values of the threshold th1 and the threshold th2 are equal or substantially the same.

  The absolute value is preferably half the peak level from the viewpoint of avoiding the influence of noise of the FE signal. Problems when the above technique is applied to an optical disc called Blu-ray Disc (hereinafter referred to as BD) using a blue laser for data writing and reading will be described below. In addition to the one-layer BD having a single recording layer, a two-layer BD having two recording layers has been put into practical use.

  FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the two-layer BD. In the two-layer BD, a first recording layer 20b is formed on the signal surface of a polycarbonate substrate 20a having a thickness of 1.1 mm, and a second recording layer 20d is formed with an intermediate layer 20c interposed therebetween. Further, the second recording layer 20d is covered with a cover layer 20e having a thickness of 75 μm. In FIG. 7, it is assumed that the objective lens used for reading and writing data is arranged on the lower side of the disk.

  In an optical disc apparatus that records and reproduces data on a two-layer BD, when an optical pickup optical design is performed so that the laser beam spot diameter is optimized when the first recording layer 20b is focused, When the second recording layer 20d is focused, the beam spot diameter is increased. This is due to the influence of spherical aberration due to the fact that the distance from the disk surface to the recording layer is different from 100 μm in the case of the first recording layer 20b and 75 μm in the case of the second recording layer 20d.

  For this reason, the optical pickup is equipped with a spherical aberration correction device such as a beam expander or a liquid crystal correction element, and the spherical aberration correction device can be adjusted so that the beam spot diameter is optimized in each recording layer. When switching the recording layer to which data is to be written or read, it is necessary to switch the adjustment value of the spherical aberration correction device in accordance with the recording layer accordingly.

  FIG. 8 shows an FE signal waveform during lens sweep in the two-layer BD. FIG. 8A shows the operation trajectories of the first recording layer L2 and the second recording layer L3 of the two-layer BD and the objective lens, and the beam spot follows the trajectory of the straight line AD as the objective lens rises. Pass through. At this time, the beam spot is just focused on the second recording layer L3 at point B, and just focused on the first recording layer L2 at point C.

  FIG. 8B shows the FE signal when the objective lens performs the above-described operation. The first S-shaped waveform appears before and after the point B, and the second S-shaped waveform appears near the point C.

  Here, the amplitude of the S-shaped waveform appearing before and after the point B is AMP3, the amplitude of the S-shaped waveform appearing before and after the point C is AMP4, and the signal amplitudes of the two S-shaped waveforms are compared. When the spherical aberration correcting device is optimally adjusted with respect to the recording layer L3, the amplitude AMP4 of the S-shaped waveform appearing before and after the point C becomes smaller than the amplitude AMP3 of the S-shaped waveform appearing before and after the point B.

  Conversely, when the spherical aberration correction device is optimally adjusted with respect to the recording layer L2, the signal amplitude AMP3 of the S-shaped waveform appearing before and after the point B is smaller than the amplitude AMP4 of the S-shaped waveform appearing before and after the point C. Become. In FIG. 8, it is assumed that the spherical aberration correction device is optimized for the recording layer L3. Therefore, it is assumed that the amplitude AMP4 is smaller than the amplitude AMP3, and AMP4 is less than half of AMP3.

  Here, when the spherical aberration correction device is optimized for the recording layer L3 and the beam spot is directed to the recording layer L2 during recording on the recording layer L3, the FE signal is shifted from point B to point D in FIG. It becomes the same as the waveform. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the FE signal first appears as a first convex waveform having a peak level of AMP5, and then appears as a second convex waveform having a reverse polarity and having a peak level of AMP6.

  Here, when the FE signal exceeding the peak level AMP6 crosses zero again, the beam spot passes through another recording layer, resulting in erroneous recording. AMP5 is half of AMP3 in FIG. 8, and AMP6 is half of AMP4 in FIG.

  When the technique described in Patent Document 2 is applied to such a waveform, the following problems occur.

  As described above, it is desirable that the threshold value th1 for detecting the positive level FE signal at the time of defocusing and the threshold value th2 for detecting the negative level FE signal are substantially equal in absolute value, and the level is the first S In FIG. 9, half of AMP5 is desirable. Accordingly, in FIG. 9, half of the peak level AMP5 in FIG. 9 is shown as a threshold th3 for detecting a positive FE signal, and the reverse polarity level of th3 is shown as a threshold th4 for detecting a negative FE signal.

  At this time, since the absolute value of the peak level AMP6 is less than half of the peak level AMP5, the focus error signal having a negative level cannot be detected without exceeding the threshold th4. As a countermeasure, when the absolute value of the threshold th3 and the threshold th4 is set to half of the peak level AMP6, there arises a problem that the FE signal detection sensitivity becomes high and is easily influenced by noise of the FE signal.

  In view of the above three problems, the object of the present invention is to focus accurately and quickly by avoiding the effects of disc distortion and spherical aberration when focus is lost during recording on an optical disc having a plurality of recording layers. An object of the present invention is to provide an out-of-focus detection apparatus and method for detecting out-of-focus and an optical disk apparatus using the same.

In an out-of-focus detection apparatus for an optical disc having a plurality of recording layers,
Means for obtaining an absolute value of the focus error signal;
First comparing means for comparing the output of the absolute value converting means with a first predetermined value;
Second comparing means for comparing the output of the absolute value converting means with a second predetermined value;
First storage means for storing a polarity of a focus error signal when the first comparison means outputs a signal indicating that the output of the absolute value converting means is larger than the first predetermined value;
Second storage means for storing a polarity of a focus error signal when the second comparing means outputs a signal indicating that the output of the absolute value converting means is larger than the second predetermined value;
Time measuring means for measuring a predetermined time after an output of the absolute value converting means is larger than the first predetermined value;
Polarity comparison means for comparing the polarities of the focus error signals stored in the first storage means and the second storage means;
The polarity comparison means outputs a signal indicating that the two focus error signal polarities are different, and the output of the second comparison means is used as an out-of-focus detection signal in a period during which the measurement by the time measurement means continues. Output.

  The defocus detection apparatus preferably has the second predetermined value smaller than the first predetermined value.

Or an out-of-focus detection method in an optical disc apparatus for recording / reproducing an optical disc having a plurality of recording layers,
When defocus detection starts,
Compare the absolute value of the focus error signal with the first predetermined value,
When the absolute value of the focus error signal is larger than the first predetermined value, the polarity of the focus error signal is stored,
Initialize the count value,
The count value is compared with the second predetermined value. When the count value is larger than the second predetermined value, out-of-focus detection is performed from the beginning. When the count value is smaller than the second predetermined value, the focus error signal is detected. Compare the absolute value with the third predetermined value,
If the absolute value of the focus error signal is smaller than the third predetermined value, the count value is increased and then the comparison between the count value and the second predetermined value is performed again, and the absolute value of the focus error signal is the third predetermined value. If greater than the value, compare the polarity of the focus error signal at that time with the polarity of the stored focus error signal,
When the polarities are the same, detection of defocusing may be performed from the beginning, and when the polarities are different, it may be determined that the focus has been lost.

It is desirable that the third predetermined value is smaller than the first predetermined value.
Alternatively, in an optical disc apparatus for recording / reproducing information on / from an optical disc having a plurality of recording layers,
Comprising the defocus detection device,
When the out-of-focus detection device detects out-of-focus, recording on the optical disk is stopped.

Alternatively, in an optical disc apparatus for recording / reproducing information on / from an optical disc having a plurality of recording layers,
Comprising the out-of-focus detection method,
When the out-of-focus detection method detects out-of-focus, recording on the optical disk is stopped.

  According to the out-of-focus detection of the present invention, it is possible to provide a highly reliable optical disc apparatus that prevents erroneous recording on other layers.

  In the following, an embodiment in hardware and an embodiment in software are shown.

The first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the block diagram of FIG.
Reference numeral 1 denotes an FE signal, which is a signal generated by a known astigmatism method, knife edge method, or the like using an output from an optical pickup (not shown) in the optical disc apparatus, and indicates a laser spot on the recording surface of the optical disc. The position error in the optical axis direction is shown.

  Reference numeral 2 denotes an absolute value conversion circuit that outputs an absolute value with respect to the reference level of the FE signal 1. The output is connected to the non-inverting input terminals of the comparison circuits 5 and 6.

  Reference numeral 3 denotes a first threshold voltage, which is set to a level th1 at which it can be detected that the output of the absolute value conversion circuit 2 is equal to or higher than the first predetermined voltage. The set level th1 is set to a predetermined value that can detect the first peak in the level fluctuation of the FE signal when defocusing occurs.

  Reference numeral 4 denotes a second threshold voltage, which is set to a level th2 at which it can be detected that the output of the absolute value conversion circuit 2 has become equal to or higher than a second predetermined voltage. The set level th2 is set to a predetermined value that can detect the second peak in the level fluctuation of the FE signal when defocusing occurs.

  Note that the second peak of the FE signal when out of focus is smaller than the first peak level due to the influence of spherical aberration. Therefore, it is assumed that the second threshold voltage setting value th2 is less than the first threshold voltage setting value th1. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the second threshold voltage setting value th2 is half of the first threshold voltage setting value th1.

  Reference numeral 5 denotes a comparison circuit, and the output of the absolute value circuit 2 is connected to the non-inverting input terminal, and the output of the first threshold voltage 3 is connected to the inverting input terminal. When the output signal level of the absolute value circuit 2 is equal to or higher than the first threshold voltage, the Hi level is output, and when it is lower than the first threshold voltage, the Low level is output.

  Reference numeral 6 denotes a comparison circuit. The output of the absolute value conversion circuit 2 is connected to the non-inverting input terminal, and the output of the second threshold voltage 4 is connected to the inverting input terminal. When the output signal level of the absolute value circuit 2 is equal to or higher than the second threshold voltage, the Hi level is output, and when it is lower than the second threshold voltage, the Low level is output.

  Reference numeral 7 denotes a memory circuit which stores the polarity of the FE signal with respect to the reference voltage at the timing when the output of the comparison circuit 5 becomes Hi level. When the polarity is positive, the Hi level is stored. When the polarity is negative, the Low level is stored.

  Reference numeral 8 denotes a memory circuit, which stores the polarity of the FE signal with respect to the reference voltage at the timing when the output of the comparison circuit 6 becomes Hi level. When the polarity is positive, the Hi level is stored. When the polarity is negative, the Low level is stored.

  Reference numeral 9 denotes a polarity determination circuit, which compares the polarities of the FE signals stored in the memory circuits 7 and 8, and outputs a Hi level when the polarities are different and a Low level when the polarities are different.

  Reference numeral 10 denotes a first AND circuit that outputs a logical product of the output of the polarity determination circuit 9 and the output of the comparison circuit 6.

  Reference numeral 11 denotes a mono-multi circuit, which outputs a Hi level signal only for a predetermined period after the output of the comparison circuit 5 becomes Hi level.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a second AND circuit, which outputs a logical product of the output of the first AND circuit and the output of the mono-multi circuit 11.
Reference numeral 13 denotes an out-of-focus detection signal, which is an output of the second AND circuit 12.

  The operation of the above-described defocusing detection apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. 10 showing the output waveform of each block in FIG.

  FIG. 10A shows an FE signal at the time of defocusing, and when defocusing, the first convex variation appears first by changing to a positive level higher than the reference level. After that, after crossing 0, it changes to a negative level lower than the reference level, and a second convex fluctuation appears. In FIG. 10A, when the peak values of the first convex variation and the second convex variation are compared, the absolute value of the first convex variation with respect to the peak level of the second convex variation. It is assumed that the peak level of fluctuation is twice.

  FIG. 10B shows the output of the absolute value conversion circuit 2. This output becomes larger than the set level th1 of the first threshold voltage 3 indicated by a dotted line in the figure in the period from time t1 to t2. Further, in the period from time t3 to t4, it becomes higher than the set level th2 of the second threshold voltage 4 indicated by a dotted line in the figure.

  FIG. 10C shows the output of the comparison circuit 5 and the Hi level in the period (time t1 to t2) when the output (b) of the absolute value conversion circuit 2 is larger than the set level th1 of the first threshold voltage 3. Become. At this time, since the FE signal is positive, the memory circuit 7 stores the Hi level.

  FIG. 10D shows the output of the comparison circuit 6, and the high level in the period (time t 3 to t 4) when the output (b) of the absolute value conversion circuit 2 is larger than the set level th 2 of the second threshold voltage 4. Become. At this time, since the FE signal has a negative polarity, the memory circuit 8 stores the low level.

  FIG. 10E shows the output of the first AND circuit 10. Since the polarities of the FE signals stored in the memory circuits 7 and 8 are different from the Hi level and the Low level, respectively, the output of the polarity determination circuit 9 which is one input of the first AND circuit 10 becomes the Hi level. Yes. Therefore, the first AND circuit 10 is the same as the output (d) of the second comparison circuit 6.

  FIG. 10F shows the output of the mono-multi circuit, which outputs the Hi level for a predetermined period Tg from the time t1 when the first comparison circuit 5 becomes the Hi level. An appropriate period Tg for outputting the Hi level is about 5 ms.

  FIG. 10G shows the output of the second AND circuit 12, that is, the out-of-focus detection signal 13. The out-of-focus detection signal 13 is at the Hi level during the period in which the mono-multi circuit output (f) is at the Hi level and the output (e) of the second AND circuit 10 is at the Hi level. That is, out of focus can be detected at time t3.

  The out-of-focus detection apparatus whose operation has been described above monitors the absolute value of the FE signal, detects the first convex fluctuation in the period t1 to t2, and then in the predetermined period Tg during the period t3 to t4. When the second convex variation with reverse polarity is detected, the focus is lost.

  The signal waveform in FIG. 10 describes the case of defocusing from point B to point C in FIG. 8, but FIG. 11 shows the case of defocusing from point C to point B. In FIG. 11, it is assumed that the spherical aberration correction device is optimally adjusted with respect to the recording layer L2.

  FIG. 11A shows an FE signal at the time of defocusing from point C to point B in FIG. 8, but the polarity is opposite to that of the FE signal in FIG. Further, FIG. 11 (b) shows the output of the absolute value converting circuit 2, but FIG. 11 (a) and FIG. 11 (a) are only different in polarity, so FIG. 11 (b) is similar to FIG. 10 (b). Will be the same. Similarly, FIGS. 11 (c) to 11 (g) are the same as FIGS. 10 (c) to 10 (g).

  As described above, even if the direction of defocusing is different, the other signal waveforms are the same only by reversing the polarity of the FE signal (a), and defocusing is detected at time t3 as in the description of FIG. Can do.

  The out-of-focus detection apparatus according to the first embodiment described above is not easily affected by the noise of the FE signal due to the distortion of the disk because the time limit by the mono-multi circuit is provided for the out-of-focus detection. Furthermore, the influence of spherical aberration can be avoided by making the threshold voltage for detecting the second convex variation smaller than the threshold voltage for detecting the first convex variation of the FE signal generated after defocusing. it can.

  Further, the above-described defocus detection signal is inputted to the system controller of the optical disc apparatus, and when the defocus signal is detected by the defocus signal, the system controller can stop the data recording instantaneously. It is possible to prevent erroneous recording on the layer. As a result, a highly reliable optical disc apparatus can be provided.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment described above, the method of detecting out-of-focus by hardware has been described, but the second embodiment detects out-of-focus by software.

Hereinafter, the operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
When out-of-focus detection starts (S1), the system controller in the optical disc apparatus monitors the FE signal to determine whether the absolute value is greater than or equal to the first threshold th1 (S2), and less than the threshold th1 (No). If there is, continue to monitor the FE signal. If the threshold is greater than or equal to the threshold th1 (Yes), the polarity of the FE signal at that time is stored (S3), and the counter included in the system controller is initialized to 0 (S4). That is, the timing at which steps S3 and S4 are executed is time t1 when the absolute value of the FE signal is equal to or greater than the threshold th1 in FIG.

  Further, it is determined whether the count value output from the counter is equal to or greater than a predetermined value Tg (S5). When the count value is equal to or greater than Tg (Yes), the FE signal is monitored again (S2). If the count value is less than Tg (No), the FE signal is monitored to determine whether the absolute value is greater than or equal to the second threshold th2 (S6). If the count value is less than the threshold th2 (No), the count value is set. The count value and the predetermined value Tg are compared again (S5). Since a series of operations from step S5 to S7 is performed every time for a predetermined period, that the count value exceeds the predetermined value Tg means that the predetermined time is exceeded, which means that the measurement time is over.

  If the absolute value of the FE signal is greater than or equal to the second threshold th2 (Yes), the polarity of the previously stored FE signal is compared with the polarity of the FE signal at this time (S8). That is, the timing at which step S8 is executed is time t3 when the absolute value of the FE signal is equal to or greater than the threshold th2 in FIG. At this time, if the two polarities are the same (Yes), it is determined that the focus is not lost and the FE signal is monitored again (S2).

  On the other hand, when the two polarities are different (No), it is determined that the focus is out of focus, a focus out detection process is performed (S9), and the series of operations is terminated (S10). The out-of-focus process (S9) is a process necessary when a defocus occurs, for example, a process of stopping data recording or performing servo control again after turning off servo control.

  With the above operation, it is possible to detect out-of-focus at time t3 in FIG. 10, so that the system controller can perform necessary processing such as data recording stop.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention described so far have been described for the case of a two-layer disc, the present invention can be similarly applied to an optical disc having three or more layers. Considering the case of the M-layer optical disc (M ≧ 3), the FE signal when the focus is lost in the dual-layer disc shown in FIG. 9 is as shown in FIG.

  That is, when the other layers are continuously traversed after defocusing, the fluctuation level of the focus error signal gradually decreases as the spherical aberration increases. Here, the positions indicated by black circles in FIG. 13 are positions where the beam spot is just focused with respect to the adjacent layer. Therefore, in order to prevent erroneous recording, defocusing occurs at an earlier timing than the positions of the black circles. Detection must be done.

  In the present invention, since a focus out can be detected at a timing before the black circle, a focus error signal appearing after the black circle does not make sense. As described above, in the present invention, out-of-focus can be detected by the same operation as in the case of a two-layer optical disc even in a multilayer optical disc having three or more layers.

1 is a block diagram of a defocus detection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a waveform at the time of a focus sweep in a two-layer recording disk. It is a schematic diagram which shows the pattern of defocusing. It is a wave form diagram of a focus error signal and a sum signal in all patterns at the time of defocusing. It is a focus error signal waveform at the time of focus sweep and at the disk distortion portion. It is a focus error signal waveform when the focus is deviated toward another recording layer. It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a two-layer Blu-ray disc. It is a focus error signal waveform when a focus sweep is performed when there is spherical aberration. It is a focus error signal waveform when the focus is lost when there is spherical aberration. It is a wave form diagram explaining operation | movement of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is another wave form diagram explaining operation | movement of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a focus error signal waveform when the focus is lost in an optical disc having three or more layers.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Focus error signal, 2 ... Absolute value conversion circuit, 3 ... 1st threshold voltage,
4 ... 2nd threshold voltage, 5, 6 ... Comparison circuit, 7, 8 ... Memory circuit,
9: Polarity determination circuit, 10, 12 ... AND circuit, 11 ... Mono-multi circuit,
13: Out-of-focus detection signal, 20a: Polycarbonate substrate,
20b: first recording layer, 20c: intermediate layer, 20d: second recording layer,
20e ... cover layer.

Claims (9)

In an out-of-focus detection apparatus for an optical disc having a plurality of recording layers,
When the focus error signal exceeds a first predetermined level and then exceeds a second predetermined level having a polarity opposite to the first predetermined level within a predetermined time, the focus is lost and a detection signal is output. Defocus detection device.   The out-of-focus detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an absolute value of the second predetermined level is smaller than an absolute value of the first predetermined level. In an optical disc apparatus for recording / reproducing information on / from an optical disc having a plurality of recording layers,
The defocus detection device according to claim 1 or 2,
An optical disc apparatus, wherein recording on the optical disc is stopped when the defocus detection device detects defocus. In an out-of-focus detection apparatus for an optical disc having a plurality of recording layers,
Means for obtaining an absolute value of the focus error signal;
First comparing means for comparing the output of the absolute value converting means with a first predetermined value;
Second comparing means for comparing the output of the absolute value converting means with a second predetermined value;
First storage means for storing a polarity of a focus error signal when the first comparison means outputs a signal indicating that the output of the absolute value converting means is larger than the first predetermined value;
Second storage means for storing a polarity of a focus error signal when the second comparing means outputs a signal indicating that the output of the absolute value converting means is larger than the second predetermined value;
Time measuring means for measuring a predetermined time after an output of the absolute value converting means is larger than the first predetermined value;
Polarity comparison means for comparing the polarities of the focus error signals stored in the first storage means and the second storage means;
The polarity comparison means outputs a signal indicating that the two focus error signal polarities are different, and the output of the second comparison means is used as an out-of-focus detection signal in a period during which the measurement by the time measurement means continues. An out-of-focus detection apparatus characterized by outputting.   The out-of-focus detection apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the second predetermined value is smaller than the first predetermined value. A defocus detection method in an optical disc apparatus for recording / reproducing an optical disc having a plurality of recording layers,
When defocus detection starts,
Compare the absolute value of the focus error signal with the first predetermined value,
When the absolute value of the focus error signal is larger than the first predetermined value, the polarity of the focus error signal is stored,
Initialize the count value,
The count value is compared with the second predetermined value. When the count value is larger than the second predetermined value, out-of-focus detection is performed from the beginning. When the count value is smaller than the second predetermined value, the focus error signal is detected. Compare the absolute value with the third predetermined value,
If the absolute value of the focus error signal is smaller than the third predetermined value, the count value is increased and then the comparison between the count value and the second predetermined value is performed again, and the absolute value of the focus error signal is the third predetermined value. If greater than the value, compare the polarity of the focus error signal at that time with the polarity of the stored focus error signal,
An out-of-focus detection method that performs out-of-focus detection from the beginning when the polarities are the same, and determines that out-of-focus is detected when the polarities are different.   The out-of-focus detection method according to claim 6, wherein the third predetermined value is smaller than the first predetermined value. In an optical disc apparatus for recording / reproducing information on / from an optical disc having a plurality of recording layers,
The defocus detection device according to claim 4 or 5,
An optical disc apparatus, wherein recording on the optical disc is stopped when the defocus detection device detects defocus. In an optical disc apparatus for recording / reproducing information on / from an optical disc having a plurality of recording layers,
The defocus detection method according to claim 6 or 7,
An optical disc apparatus, wherein recording on the optical disc is stopped when the defocus detection method detects out of focus.

Images